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Hi, DJE!
A reply for the Sydney leg only: everybody's idea of "top notch" is going to be different, so I will try to refrain from PERSONAL biases, and instead just tell you a few hotels which you might choose from in the very best part of Sydney, which is around the area known as "The Rocks".
The best view is probably obtainable at the Park Hyatt.... ask for a room that looks onto Fort Denison. There are no better views in Sydney. This hotel, by the way, is only three or four storeys tall... but it's at the water's edge.
Other, taller hotels which are nudging each other for the best look at the harbour include: The Shangri-La, Quay West, the Marriott (Pitt St), and the Four Seasons (George St).
Not so strong on views but great on position (near the Opera House) is Quay Grand. You can get a room there that looks at the Harbour Bridge.
Also not great for views, but right in the heart of the Rocks are the Old Sydney Holiday Inn and the Russell. This last is a very old Australian building which is, in itself, an experience.... but it is not air-conditioned, and there's no lift.
The Sir Stamford is another hotel near the harbour, on the "opposite" side to the Rocks.... looking at the Botanical Gardens.
Other older Australian-type hotels, not part of any chain, include the Lord Nelson Brewery, the Harbour Rocks, and the Australian. I think the last of these is a bed-and-breakfast; so is the well-regarded Sydney Harbour Bed and Breakfast, right up near the approach to the Harbour Bridge.
Finally, there's the Mercantile, an Irish pub right in the heart of the Rocks..... much cheaper than the rest, but worth a mention for other readers of this post (I don't think it would fit your definition of "top-notch".)
Hope you can find something from this lot. Many of those chains have other hotels in Sydney, so ensure that you book the "right" hotel in each case, otherwise you may well be stuck down at Darling Harbour.

Top notch in Melb. would probably be The Windsor (if price is your guide). As for chains, there is the Park Hyatt, Sheraton Towers, or Westin. Crown Casino has some great rooms as well. According to the papers, that's where most of the visiting celebrities tend to stay. There are also boutique places right in the city such as The Adelphi or Hotel Lindrum.

Thank you both for the names of various hotels and I will take a look to see what accommodations suit our needs. My idea of top notch would be summed up by Excellent service, a comfortable room with nice furnishings and ammenties, a good restaurant and a convenient location. I don't mind paying top dollar as long as I get value for the money spent.

For Melbourne I'd suggest the Westin, Park Hyatt, Crown or The Windsor for the larger hotels and The Adelphi for a smaller boutique hotel. I'd not suggest Seraton Towers at Southgate as the rooms are quite small. Westin or Park Hyatt would be my top picks for your criteria.

Having stayed at the following 3 this year. Melbourne. Park Hyatt, Crown Towers. (crown have a new hotel opening November..4 star only.) Windsor.
For great location Crown Towers, 1 bedroom suite is my choice.
Park Hyatt out rates the grand old lady Windsor, both in much the same area well away from Southbank entertainment area where Crown Towers is. Enjoy
Perth. Stayed at a few there
Burswood Casino Complex. Newly refurbished rooms. Rated the best.